This thesis, which includes a dual case study, explores the clinical use of art therapy with women with eating issues from a feminist perspective. It provides a critique of the existing art therapy literature, and suggests alternative approaches which may be incorporated into an art therapy intervention, to increase its relevance to this client group. It demonstrates the need for flexibility and creativity on the part of the art therapist, particularly with regard to the provision of structure and containment. It offers an example of qualitative research methods which were easily incorporated into clinical practice, as a means to introducing clients’ voices into art therapy narratives as well as evaluating practice. These research methods are suggested for future art therapy research projects. This study found that a short term feminist informed art therapy intervention was able to meet its goals of increasing clients’ self awareness and insight into their eating issues. The use of art therapy was found to be one of the strategies which contributed to the success of this intervention. Other important aspects included: the adoption of a feminist model; the use of journalling; a flexible approach; a concern with what lay beneath the eating issue; and a focus on self-care and nurture. / Master of Arts (Hons) (Art Therapy)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/189172 |
| Date | January 2005 |
| Creators | Edwards, Claire, University of Western Sydney, College of Arts, Education and Social Sciences, School of Social Sciences |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
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